For a while there, things were looking pretty good for Charlie Kaufman‘s return to TV. FX ordered his sitcom How & Why to pilot last year, and in short order it managed to attract talents like John Hawkes, Michael Cera, Sally Hawkins, and Catherine Keener.

But now the project has hit a snag. FX is reportedly passing on the sitcom, though producers are still hopeful it’ll get picked up elsewhere. Hit the jump for the latest details.

Please Recommend /Film on Facebook

Catherine Keener has lent her talents to a few Charlie Kaufman movies, and now she’ll contribute them to a Charlie Kaufman TV show, too. The Being John Malkovich actress has just been added to How and Why, Kaufman’s upcoming comedy pilot for FX. Also on board are Sally Hawkins, John Hawkes, and Michael Cera. Get plot details and more after the jump.

FX has landed some major comedic star power for a bunch of new pilots. Billy Crystal has a show called The Comedian, Tracy Morgan has a show called Death Pact, Denis Leary has a show called Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll and that’s not the half of it.

There are 12 new pilots in total and the two most exciting might be a new show created by and starring Zach Galifianakis, which will be co-produced and co-written by Louis C.K. It’s the first show in C.K.’s new deal. Then, Oscar-winning writer Charlie Kaufman‘s new showHow and Why has cast John Hawkes and Michael Cera in key roles. Read More »

Before we knew and loved him for the films Being John Malkovich, Adaptation, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and Synecdoche, New York, Charlie Kaufman wrote for TV. Shows like Get a Life, The Dana Carvey Show and The Edge were among the efforts that had Kaufman’s unique voice on board. Now he’s returning to the small screen.

Kaufman is developing a sitcom for FX called How and Why, which is “about a man who can describe the ins and outs of a nuclear reactor but is clueless about life.” He’ll write and direct the pilot episode and executive produce the show going forward. The show doesn’t have a full order yet, just a pilot, but if Kaufman’s recent film work is any indication, there’s a good shot this show will fit right into FX’s current, quirky line up that includes American Horror Story, Louie and Wilfred. [Vulture]